"In my Shadow" - Miya Atsumu Angst (with happy end)

Chapter 4: 2 a.m.

Notes:

Content Warnings:
- Panic attacks
- minor horror elements

For everyone who prefers hearing the story there is an audiobook version at the bottom of the chapter.

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When Atsumu woke up this time the room was flooded in the golden light of the setting sun. He didn't remember falling asleep, nor did he know how long he had slept but it had to have been hours.
And yet he still felt awful, if at least a tiny bit less exhausted.

"Finally back with the living?" the voice of his bother asked to his left.

Atsumu looked up, the tension keeping him frozen in place slowly fading as he recognized his twin. The silver-haired placed a plate with Onigiri in front of him just like when he arrived here. This time paired with a cup of warm tea.

"Thanks, Samu..."
He reached for it, suddenly hungry and before he knew it stuffed his face with the food. All this stress had taken a toll on him lately and he had neglected his meal plan. Now the familiarity of the taste almost brought him to tears.

But he wouldn't cry in front of Osamu again, not when he had made a plan.
The setter felt oddly relaxed after putting things in order in his mind. A sudden numbness spread through his system now that he had a goal to focus on.

Atsumu must have looked terrible because Osamu didn't even comment on his sloppy eating habits like he usually would. He just observed him critically which Atsumu knew to read as worried.

"What is going on, Tsumu?" he asked, calmer now than he had been this morning but still insistent.

He knew he couldn't escape this but he couldn't answer him just yet.
"Where is Sunarin?"

"With Motoya. You scared him half to death and your boyfriends too by the way. They almost stormed in here to kidnap you back."

A small, shaky smile stretched Atsumu's lips at that and he tried to focus on the warmth spreading within him at their care, rather than the guilt lingering overwhelmingly at the edge of his consciousness.

"Don't think you can dodge the question though. By that stupid expression on your face, I guess it's not any of them causing this?" Osamu asked carefully like he wasn't sure and Atsumu immediately rushed to scatter his suspicions.

"What? No! Of course not! They'd never!" he defended.

"Good."

Atsumu took a deep breath, finishing the last Onigiri and drinking from the tea. He didn't know how well his brother would take to his next words.
Or rather he knew exactly how bad he would take them.
"Samu... I'm not sure what's going on yet. I'll figure it out. Tomorrow, after the game, I'll know. Can I tell you then? Please?"

Osamu's eyes narrowed and he looked about the opposite of satisfied with his answer.
"You come in here, looking like you have seen a goddamn ghost and almost collapsing, my own twin brother, and yer expect me ta just let ya go like that?!"

"Yes.
"Just until tomorrow, that is. I promise I'll explain everything then. Besides I really should get home before they do break into yer apartment to get me."
He tried for a chuckle but it sounded utterly wrong and Osamu just huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Yer a grown man, even if ya don't act like one. Can't keep ya hostage," he said dejectedly.

Atsumu hated how he said it, as though the blonde had betrayed him, but he assumed it was the best he could get. He got up, a little shaky.